Allergy Test

THE PEANUT IS PART OF THE BEAN (LEGUME) FAMILY

The bean family includes peas, soybeans, beans, chickpeas, Lupins with which it may share cross allergies

PEANUTS ARE INCREASINGLY USED

Peanuts are increasingly added to our meals for their nutritional value and low cost, and are present in a large majority of products we consume daily.
On the other hand, peanuts improve the taste, quantity and texture of many foods.

PEANUT ALLERGY DOES NOT TEND TO DISAPPEAR

The peanut allergy does not tend to disappear.

PRESENTATION OF PEANUT ALLERGY

The peanut allergy presents with rhinitis, urticaria, atopic eczema, asthma, vomiting, abdominal pain, symptoms can be in isolation or in combination with others listed.
It can cause severe skin reactions, digestive but also anaphylactic shock.

CARRY A PRESCRIBED PRE-FILLED SYRINGE OF EPINEPHRINE AND CORTICOIDS DRUGS

Patients who had severe allergic episodes to peanuts must always have corticosteroid drugs and a pre-filled syringe of epinephrine with them at all times. Nurses as pharamcists may require training for administering epinephrine and spare syringes prescribed for allergic patients.

THE DIAGNOSIS OF PEANUT ALLERGY

A doctor who specialises in allergy testing will make the diagnosis. Skin prick testing maybe performed and blood samples taken to check IgE levels to measure the antibodies responsible for peanut allergy.
These tests also allows the doctor to assess the degree and severity of peanut allergy.

CROSS ALLERGIES WITH PEANUTS

Peas
Lentils
Soy
Beans
Lupins (flowering plant)
Bananas
Apricots

Ask if your baker uses lupin flour to improve the flexibility of his bread and buns.

TREATMENT: THE PEANUT-FREE DIET

Treatment of peanut allergy is to avoid eating peanuts in all its forms.

A reassessment of the allergy should be routinely performed using skin tests and a blood test (searching for antibodies specific to peanuts)